Obituaries - Tuesday, February 24

Robert "Bob" Leon Houck

November 12, 1939 ~ February 18, 2026 (age 86)

Robert "Bob" Leon Houck, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 18, 2026.  His illness came on fast and despite his courageous fight, was just too much for him to overcome.  Bob loved the Lord Jesus and was a man with a big heart. He was nice to everyone, and he often found a way to help others in need. He loved leading the prayer at family gatherings and reunions.

Bob was born November 12, 1939, in a farmhouse near Crescent, Oklahoma.  He was the oldest child of Jess and Juanita Houck.  He grew up with his two younger sisters Linda and Connie in Wichita, Ks moving to Caldwell, Kansas in 7th grade.  He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1958 and Phillips University in 1962.  

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elaine Bobek on August 9,1962. They started their family in Wichita, Kansas where they had sons David Blaine and Michael Patrick.  Bob worked for Boeing and Learjet before taking a job in Salina, Kansas that would lead to a long career in hospital administration at St John’s Hospital in Salina and Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas 

Bob loved the outdoors and most activities involved camping, hunting and fishing.  The family took vacations to Colorado and the Ozarks every summer. His favorite fishing hole at the sandpit was where the family spent countless evenings.  He not only loved watching sports but played softball, basketball, and volleyball in city and church league teams late into life. 

Bob is survived by his wife Mary of Salina, Kansas; son David and wife Charlotte Houck of Edmond, Oklahoma; son Mike and wife Michelle Houck of Milford, Kansas; grandchildren Justin and wife Autrie Houck of Piedmont, Oklahoma; Jacob Houck of Chicago, Ill; Joseph Houck of Moore, Oklahoma; Kara Houck of Milford, Kansas; Jacob and wife Kyra Frisbie of Waco, Texas; and great grandson Harrison Houck of Piedmont, Oklahoma. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Jess and Juanita Houck; sister Connie Cink; and granddaughter Madison Frisbie.

A memorial service will be at 1pm on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 E Beloit Ave, Salina, KS 67401.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m., March 7th, 2026, at Sugar Sisters 20 S Main Caldwell, Kansas. 

Memorials can be made to Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 E. Beloit Ave., Salina, KS., 67401.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob" Leon Houck, please visit the floral store.

Ryan Mortuary

Terri Thorp-Dolan

January 8, 1963 ~ February 20, 2026 (age 63)

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we celebrate Terri Thorp-Dolan, who went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 20, 2026, at her home in Basehor, Kansas, surrounded by the people she loved most. She was born January 8, 1963.

Terri was the light of every room she entered. She loved fiercely especially her devoted husband, Jim; her sons, Jason, Ryan, and Travis; her daughters-in-law, Maggie, and Chelsea; and her precious grandchildren, Elliot, Maci, Rylee, Isla, and Reese who were the very joy of her life. She loved to attend their sporting events and performances and found deep happiness in celebrating & watching them grow. Nothing brought her more pride than being their grandma.

She is also survived by her father, Jim; sisters Traci and Pam; many beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law; aunts, uncles and cousins; nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Travis James; her mother, Sally; mother-in-law, Joann; brother-in-law, Chuck; and her grandparents.

Terri loved music, reading, driving with the top down with her hair in the wind, dancing, and cheering on her Chiefs, Wildcats, and Royals. Some of her favorite times were spent at family gatherings or hiking in the mountains in Estes Park with her loved ones. 

Her Catholic faith was the center of her life and sustained her through every season, including her courageous battle with cancer this past year. She believed life was meant to be celebrated and lived generously, and she made sure everyone around her felt seen, loved, and included.

Terri spent most of her life working in the healthcare industry where she got to showcase the love and care she had for others. 

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 N. 9th St., Salina, KS, with inurnment following at All Saints Catholic Cemetery. 

In honor of her courageous battle, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Jim Dolan or to the American Cancer Society. 

Prayers and kind thoughts are deeply appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terri Thorp-Dolan, please visit the floral store.

Ryan Mortuary

Grace Maureen Clausen-Rufener

May 21, 1931 ~ February 20, 2026 (age 94)

Grace Maureen Clausen-Rufener passed from all earthly cares on February 20, 2026, 2 months before her 95th birthday.

Grace was born in Lincoln, Kansas in 1931 and married Leo Willis Claussen in 1949. They settled in Dorrance, Kansas and were blessed with six children: Colleen, Jim, Kathleen, Lynn, Therese and Maureen. She and her family moved to Lindsborg in 1964 where she became involved with the Lindsborg Broadway RFD playing Rosalie in “Carnival”, and sang with the Messiah.

The family later moved to Salina where Grace sang with a band for a time and with the Sweet Adelines as well as singing for numerous weddings, funerals, and for the Kansas state governor. In addition to singing, Grace enjoyed drawing and writing. She wrote a book, “The Diary of Elizabeth Smith”, published under the name Maureen McGuire.

Grace worked for fifteen years at Beech Aircraft as a machinist and later in the Quality Control area. While working for Beech she earned the role of Union Steward and later President.

Grace’s husband and father of her six children, Leo W. Claussen died in 2003. She remarried in 2013 to Gerald A. Rufener, who died in 2024.

Grace is preceded in death by her son Jim, her eldest daughter, Colleen, both of her husbands and her parents, Fred H. and Carol J. Shaw.

There will be a graveside service in Dorrance, Kansas at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace Maureen Clausen-Rufener, please visit the floral store.

Ryan Mortuary

Judith Leslie Shannon

August 25, 1946 - February 19, 2026

Judith Leslie Shannon, 79, of Salina, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Village Manor in Abilene, Kansas.   She was born in McPherson, Kansas to Mark and Jenanette (Brewster) Anson on August 25, 1946.  Judy worked for the Saline County Sheriff's Office and later retired.  

She is survived by her daughter in law, Kathy and nephews, Barry, Mark and J.R.

She is preceded in death by her son, Richard Shannon; parents, Mark and Jenanette; sister, Robyn Reed.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at Roselawn Height Memorial Chapel, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Judith Leslie Shannon, please click here to visit the sympathy store.

Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremation